"Jai Shree Hanuman": Keshav Maharaj thanks God after his heroics helps South Africa to a win over Pakistan

Keshav Maharaj who had finished with decent figures of 9 overs 56 in a World Cup 2023 match against Pakistan in Chennai on Friday had the pressure of helping his side to win while chasing the target of 270.

 

South Africa's 271-run chase felt impossible when Aiden Markram in the 42nd was dismissed for 91. He not only missed a well-deserved century but also put South Africa in a spot of bother. Keshav Maharaj handled the pressure well but he saw two more wickets tumble at the other end.

 

But Maharaj kept the composure and his unbeaten 10 helped the South Africans reach 271-9 and hand Pakistan its fourth straight loss in the tournament as he thwarted Pakistan's pace together with No. 11 Tabraiz Shamsi. He pulled left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz to backward square leg for the winning boundary, lifting South Africa ahead of host India in the points table on a better net run-rate.

 

After the match, he took to Instagram to thank God. "In God, I Trust what a special result by the boys, awesome to see the performances from Shamsi and Markram. Jai Shree Hanuman," he posted along with a photo of the winning moment.

 

 

This went viral on social media.

 

Notably, Keshav Maharaj has been quite vocal about his devotion to his religion.

 

Earlier, Pakistan had made 270 on the back of half-centuries from Saud Shakeel (52) and captain Babar Azam (50) before getting bowled out in 47.2 overs.